Bethlehem is one of six charter and traditional school districts that the Pennsylvania Department of Education plans to watch after closing investigations into allegations of cheating on Pennsylvania System of School Assessment exams in those districts' schools.

"The department will continue to monitor those schools because the data and analysis indicate inappropriate behavior took place; however, the districts were unable to identify who or what," department spokesman Tim Eller said today.

Bethlehem schools Superintendent Joseph Roy said his district was never accused of having teachers altering student test answers and he's puzzled by the state's stance.

The state accepted Bethlehem's investigation and closed the case, Roy said; he was told it wouldn't be disclosed. Bethlehem was only told it could be monitored, like all districts, he said.

"I was surprised and I'm angry," Roy said. "I can't help but wonder if part of this is politics."

Over-proctored exams

An investigation of erasure data by Roy and Assistant Superintendent for Education Jack Silva concluded that, at worst, staff had over-proctored exams, with teachers suggesting students check answers or informing them they skipped a section, the administrators said.

"There are very tight guidelines on: Can you answer a student's question? Can you say you missed a page? You flipped too many pages," Roy said. "The worst we could conclude: Maybe there were occasions where teachers said go back and make sure you go through the back section again."

State officials today released 2011-12 PSSA test scores that show a statewide drop in scores. Officials said it is a result of tighter security measures following cheating on the tests.

The state Education Department began investigating PSSA testing
irregularities following a mid-2011 report indicating significant
increases in student test scores in several districts and charter
schools. The state probe revealed student answer sheets had been altered
and test scores were inflated dating to the 2008-09 school year.

The report led to the investigation of 48 school districts and
charter schools. Earlier this year, 30 were cleared of any wrongdoing
and the investigation was closed in three districts. Bethlehem is one of
the six districts or charters where investigations were closed but are subject to monitoring.

Roy said the conclusion that drops in test scores coincided with a crackdown on cheating is laughable, after his district lost $700,000 in tutoring funds, cut teachers and bumped staff in 2011-12 due to state budget cuts.

"That's their conclusion?" Roy said. "Did they mention the enormous cuts in education funding? Did they mention the drastic cuts that districts had to make? They didn't? How interesting."

The state teachers union today echoed Roy's thoughts.

“Focusing on an investigation in a small number of classrooms in a small number of schools instead of acknowledging the impact of nearly $1 billion in funding cuts to all schools is a disservice to students, teachers, parents and taxpayers," said Michael Crossey, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

Investigations continue

Investigations
into cheating allegations are continuing in nine school districts and charter schools, including the
Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Hazleton Area, Pittsburgh, Reading and
Scranton school districts.

Personnel actions have been taken against a handful of adults who
tampered with student answer sheets, active investigations continue in
districts and charter schools where cheating was pervasive, the
department said.

“In the coming weeks, the department
will file complaints against more
than 100 educators who have been involved in misconduct in
administration of the PSSA,” Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis said
today during a news conference in Harrisburg. “The department will later
determine if charges need to be filed in these matters before the
Professional Standards and Practices Commission.”

Although the PSSA investigation only focused on three years of testing, it’s probable tampering took place prior to 2009, officials said.

“The
2011-12 PSSA scores should be viewed as a reset point for student
achievement in Pennsylvania,” Tomalis said. “This is the first year the
department can confidently report that PSSA scores are a true reflection
of student achievement and academic progress.”

Tomalis said a few individuals acted inappropriately and hurt students.

“The
most unfortunate victims of adult-testing improprieties were the
students who deserved the opportunity to illustrate and assess their
abilities, and receive additional help if necessary,” he said.

***

STATEMENT CALLED UNFAIR

Bethlehem Area schools Superintendent Joseph Roy today accused the state of being misleading in including Bethlehem in its
statement about adults altering test scores. Bethlehem was flagged
after a state statistical analysis found that district students erased
more answers from wrong to right compared to the state average, Roy
said.

But the state analysis didn't look at the number of answers
that were changed from a wrong answer to another wrong answer or right
to wrong, Roy said. On some exams it just looks like the student erased a
lot, he said.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education told the district it "did not see any systemic issues that they have seen in other
districts," Roy said. "They used the term over-proctoring. Maybe a
teacher was too helpful in answering questions or reminding them to
check their work."